CORAL SPRINGS, FL – Since 2005, organizers of Coral Springs Festival of the Arts have operated with a single goal: showcase the arts in an annual event that is unlike anything else in northwest Broward County.

Drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year, the festival has been operating as a private non-profit and run by local volunteers who raise money through grants and sponsorships, so the two-day event can be free to the public.

This year, as the economy tightened up, the all-volunteer organizers said they had a harder time fundraising to cover the festival’s growing expenses.

SIGNUPSCRIPT

The festival -- set for March 18 and 19 in The Walk of Coral Springs -- will go on as planned with visitors enjoying a wide variety of live music, dance exhibitions, theater and literary performances, a children’s area, and more than 200 fine artisans and crafters, organizers said.

But organizers said if more businesses don’t step up and support the festival, and if more adult volunteers don’t help out, next year’s festival may need to be adjusted to keep up with costs.

“Community support is an essential component in the vitality of this festival,” said Joe Morera, president of the festival’s organization.**BULLSEYE

To balance the estimated $108,000 budget for this year’s festival, organizers said they are planning to dip into the organization’s reserves to cover expenses, such as police security and entertainment.

They also trimmed expenses, including giving out an annual $1,500 scholarship to a local high school student pursuing an art or related career.

The revenue coming in has been down due in part to Broward County Cultural Division reducing its annual grant, and fewer companies willing to be sponsors, organizers said.**STANDARD

“We’ll meet our budget this year, but it will be harder going forward,” said Shirley Richards, the festival’s founder and past president. Read more here about Richards.

Gisele Rahael, the festival’s vice president, stressed the importance of local businesses and residents getting involved with the festival in order for it to continue being among the best arts and cultural festivals in the county.

And their contributions, she said, would help keep the festival free to the public.**BULLSEYE

Richards said volunteers work year-round to plan the event and run it. Read more here.

“It’s a festival for the people by the people,” she said.

To learn more how to support the organization running the Coral Springs Festival of the Arts, visit its website, csfoa.org, or call 954-340-5992.

When visiting the festival next weekend, consider parking at Coral Springs City Hall garage at 9500 Sample Road or at Coral Springs Center for the Arts at 2855 Coral Springs Drive and taking a shuttle.

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